linchpin

linch·pin

noun \ˈlinch-ˌpin\

Definition of LINCHPIN

1

: a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft)

2

: one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit <the linchpin in the defense's case>

Variants of LINCHPIN

linch·pin also lynch·pin \ˈlinch-ˌpin\

Examples of LINCHPIN

1. This witness is the linchpin of the defense's case.

Origin of LINCHPIN

Middle English lynspin, from lyns linchpin (from Old English lynis) + pin; akin to Middle High German luns linchpin

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with LINCHPIN

add-in, again, akin, all-in, backspin, bearskin, begin, Benin, blow in, Boleyn, bowfin, break-in, bring in, buckskin, build in, built-in, burn-in, butt in, calfskin, call in, call-in, capeskin, cash in, cave-in, chagrin, check in, check-in, chime in, chip in, clothespin, come in, coonskin, crankpin, cut in, deerskin, dig in, doeskin, do in, draw in, drive-in, drop in, duckpin, dustbin, edge in, fade-in, fall in, fill in, fill-in, foreskin, Fuxin, get in, give in, goatskin, go in, Guilin, hairpin, hand in, hang in, Harbin, has-been, headpin, herein, horn in, Jilin, kick in, kidskin, kingpin, lambskin, lay in, lead-in, lie-in, live-in, lived-in, lobe-fin, locked-in, log in, look-in, love-in, moleskin, move in, munchkin, Nankin, ninepin, no-win, oilskin, phone-in, pigskin, pinyin, pitch in, plug-in, plugged-in, pull in, punch in, pushpin, put in, rub in, ruin, run in, run-in, saimin, scarfpin, scarfskin, sealskin, send in, set in, sharkskin, shear pin, sheepskin, shoo-in, shut-in, sidespin, sign in, sit-in, sleep in, sleep-in, sloe gin, snakeskin, sock in, stand in, stand-in, step in, stickpin, suck in, swanskin, swear in, swim fin, tail fin, tailspin, take in, tap-in, teach-in, tenpin, therein, tholepin, threadfin, throw in, tie-in, tiepin, tip-in, toe-in, Tonkin, topspin, trade in, trade-in, tune in, tuned-in, Turin, turn in, unpin, walk-in, wear thin, weigh in, wherein, whip in, wineskin, win-win, within, woolskin, work in, wrist pin, write-in, Yeltsin